Julian, you’ve often said how proud you are to be able to coach this team. What is it that makes you so proud?

Schuster: They’re just a great group of lads. When someone gets disappointed, like when they don’t start a game, they still do everything they can for the team and wish all their colleagues the best – even the person playing in their position.

Before this interview we had a think about some players who stand out as strong characters. We came up with experienced players like Christian Günter, Vincenzo Grifo and Matthias Ginter. How do you maintain the character of team when players like that are no longer there?

Schuster: The good thing about experienced players is that they can pass things on to those younger guys who are willing to learn. I wouldn’t say it’s only a job for the experienced players, though. In the ‘middle’ age group, we have players like Philipp Treu and Patrick Osterhage, to name just two, who bring a lot to the table. The same goes for all the younger lads as well – Max Rosenfelder is a good example.

What does “bringing a lot to the table” mean in this context?

Schuster: It means a lot of things. There are many different ways in which you can contribute. It’s not always verbal and it’s not always about being loud and shouting. It’s about being there for the team and being able to get a certain message across to them.

Does that mean the fans shouldn’t worry about the future?

Schuster: We’re definitely making this our mission. We had a meeting the other day, in which we spoke about the future. Of course, the important thing is maintaining the values and the culture that has been developed in the dressing room over the years. I do believe that this is a challenge, and that the guys who really represent these values – like Philipp Treu – play a crucial role.

Photo: Achim Keller